Scan barcode
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
My poor babies Karina and Malik go through so much in this story ðŸ˜
I adore this duology. All of the loose threads are wrapped up excellently and yet I still want more. The depictions of mental health struggles in particular are so well done.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death, Grief, Body horror, Colonisation, Genocide, Emotional abuse, and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
wackly93's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
Moderate: Death
Minor: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
caidyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
claragweny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Racism, War, Violence, Trafficking, Transphobia, Terminal illness, and Stalking
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Karina and Malik's relationship is complicated, with lies and misunderstandings from A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN meddling in what ought to be a simple case of one hunting the other to try and stop the fall of the kingdom. Farid is a well-written manipulator, wrapped up in his own plans and unable to see the difference between someone agreeing with him and one who's just placating him to avert his anger and disappointment from falling on them. His frustrations make sense with his character and circumstances, his increasingly complicated plans hum along in the background of everything Malik and Karina try to accomplish.
This wraps up more than one major thing left hanging from the first book. The main storyline starts here and was only lightly present previously. There are several major things that are both introduced and resolved, and as part two of a duology it’s an immensely satisfying ending. The main characters are the same and they’re consistent with their portrayals in the first book. This might make sense if someone tried to start here and hadn’t read the previous book, it does a good job of referencing prior events without devolving into a full recap. It was definitely enough to pull me fully into the story even though it’s been a while since I read A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN and my recall was initially fuzzy. I'd basically forgotten what happened before and it gently reminded me at gradual intervals as various previous events became relevant. The current stakes and past drama are clearly communicated, and the emotional context is vibrant.
The ending is excellent. There's still a lot of work to do and a lot of life for the survivors to live, and it's okay that this story stops here since it had to stop somewhere. I love the framing device, it satisfied my need to know what happens next.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Torture, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Gore, Body horror, Medical content, Medical trauma, Slavery, and Child death
Minor: Domestic abuse, Incest, and Vomit
CW for grooming.molliemoments's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Torture, Self harm, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Grief, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, War, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny